Delray's successful downtown attracts tons of people, who spend tons of money. But it's also attracting panhandlers not shy about asking anyone they see for a handout. Now, the city wants to do something about it. A new push from police coupled with new rules on panhandling aim to stop the problem - especially along Atlantic Avenue - before it starts scaring away visitors. "On any afternoon if you sit outside at a restaurant or a coffee shop a resident or tourist should not have to be harassed by individuals seeking money," said Commissioner Adam Frankel, who has been pushing the commission to address the panhandling problem.

Delray's City Commission will consider adding some new lines to the city's rule book Tuesday night. Topics up for discussion include tightening the reins on aggressive panhandlers, considering banning the sale of pooches from puppy mills and increasing protection for nesting sea turtles. Delray officials say they want to find ways to control panhandling downtown. To figure out how to control the influx, city officials formed a task force dedicated to taking an in-depth look at the panhandling problem.

Instead of banning all begging and fundraising on county roads, Palm Beach County commissioners on Tuesday agreed to outlaw "aggressive" panhandling. The new law could target people who block the flow of traffic or badger people who refuse to give, but it would stop short of kicking all panhandlers, vendors and fundraising groups off county medians. In addition, the commission agreed to work with Sheriff Ric Bradshaw to create an advertising campaign encouraging people to donate to homeless shelters and food pantries instead of doling out money on the street.

Delray's successful downtown attracts tons of people, who spend tons of money. But it's also attracting panhandlers not shy about asking anyone they see for a handout. Now, the city wants to do something about it. A new push from police coupled with new rules on panhandling aim to stop the problem - especially along Atlantic Avenue - before it starts scaring away visitors. "On any afternoon if you sit outside at a restaurant or a coffee shop a resident or tourist should not have to be harassed by individuals seeking money," said Commissioner Adam Frankel, who has been pushing the commission to address the panhandling problem.

Street beggars will have to choose more carefully where to do their panhandling, if the city agrees on Tuesday to enact tough new restrictions. The proposal would prohibit anyone from panhandling, begging or soliciting at designated areas such as parks, city parking lots and near sidewalk dining areas. The city already bans it on beaches, beach sidewalks and within 150 feet of Atlantic Boulevard or Seabreeze Boulevard. While the proposal establishes no-panhandling zones primarily in the downtown area, it bans "aggressive" panhandling citywide, including repeatedly begging after being told no, or approaching a person in a "threatening" manner.

You can beg here as long as you don't do it aggressively. City commissioners on Tuesday outlawed "aggressive panhandling," which essentially means that people who beg must take no for an answer and stay out of your way. The law defines aggressive panhandling as begging with "intimidation." Panhandlers are being intimidating when they touch or grab the people they beg from, who follow them or persist in begging after the person has said no, who curse or say abusive things or use violent gestures, according to the ordinance passed 4-0 on Tuesday by Pompano Beach commissioners.

In the right hands, a program that allows people to give vouchers instead of cash to sidewalk panhandlers holds the solution to the nation`s unemployment problem. Evanston, Ill., is pondering a modest version of such a program right now. Theirs would be modeled after the ones in Berkeley, Calif., Seattle and San Francisco, where businesses are given vouchers on consignment. They sell these vouchers to their customers for 25 cents each. The customers then give the vouchers to panhandlers, who redeem them for food or other necessities at businesses participating in the program, after which those businesses redeem the vouchers for cash.

Thirty-five year city resident Louise Cammorata sat through nearly four hours of the Aug. 10 city council meeting to register her frustration at aggressive panhandling she says is getting worse in East Boca, especially in and around the Fifth Avenue Shops. "I've been accosted 10 times in six or eight weeks. They even accosted me on my lawn when I was doing my yard work," Cammorata told council members in the 5-minute time slot the public is allowed to speak. She asked council to do something about the problem, and asked them not to target police or firefighters in preliminary budget cuts.

A campaign to discourage drivers from giving panhandlers money and contribute to agencies helping the homeless instead is moving forward in the county. Installation of signs saying "It's OK to Say No," has started at five strategic intersections. They are: South Congress Avenue at Lantana Road, Sixth Avenue South, and Lake Worth Road and Military Trail at Lake Worth and Okeechobee roads. So far the initiative has stopped short of West Boca , although all Palm Beach County residents are encouraged to take part in "There's a Better Way to Help" campaign.

Delray's City Commission will consider adding some new lines to the city's rule book Tuesday night. Topics up for discussion include tightening the reins on aggressive panhandlers, considering banning the sale of pooches from puppy mills and increasing protection for nesting sea turtles. Delray officials say they want to find ways to control panhandling downtown. To figure out how to control the influx, city officials formed a task force dedicated to taking an in-depth look at the panhandling problem.

Here's one beggar that went from cent-less to senseless. Dispatchers received calls from motorists about a aggressive shirtless panhandler with a dog in Fort Pierce, reports Will Greenlee in his Off the Beat blog for TCPalm.com in Stuart. After a woman refused to give the accused panhandler money, the man, identified as Christian Wilcox, 27, exposed his genitals and said, "Kiss it," according to his arrest affidavit. After one motorist refused to hand over any money, Wilcox allegedly pounded his hands on the hood of the man's car. That's when the motorists put their 2-cents in and called the cops on the Jumping Jack Flash-er.

Street beggars will have to choose more carefully where to do their panhandling, if the city agrees on Tuesday to enact tough new restrictions. The proposal would prohibit anyone from panhandling, begging or soliciting at designated areas such as parks, city parking lots and near sidewalk dining areas. The city already bans it on beaches, beach sidewalks and within 150 feet of Atlantic Boulevard or Seabreeze Boulevard. While the proposal establishes no-panhandling zones primarily in the downtown area, it bans "aggressive" panhandling citywide, including repeatedly begging after being told no, or approaching a person in a "threatening" manner.

A campaign to discourage drivers from giving panhandlers money and contribute to agencies helping the homeless instead is moving forward in the county. Installation of signs saying "It's OK to Say No," has started at five strategic intersections. They are: South Congress Avenue at Lantana Road, Sixth Avenue South, and Lake Worth Road and Military Trail at Lake Worth and Okeechobee roads. So far the initiative has stopped short of West Boca , although all Palm Beach County residents are encouraged to take part in "There's a Better Way to Help" campaign.

Thirty-five year city resident Louise Cammorata sat through nearly four hours of the Aug. 10 city council meeting to register her frustration at aggressive panhandling she says is getting worse in East Boca, especially in and around the Fifth Avenue Shops. "I've been accosted 10 times in six or eight weeks. They even accosted me on my lawn when I was doing my yard work," Cammorata told council members in the 5-minute time slot the public is allowed to speak. She asked council to do something about the problem, and asked them not to target police or firefighters in preliminary budget cuts.

Instead of banning all begging and fundraising on county roads, Palm Beach County commissioners on Tuesday agreed to outlaw "aggressive" panhandling. The new law could target people who block the flow of traffic or badger people who refuse to give, but it would stop short of kicking all panhandlers, vendors and fundraising groups off county medians. In addition, the commission agreed to work with Sheriff Ric Bradshaw to create an advertising campaign encouraging people to donate to homeless shelters and food pantries instead of doling out money on the street.

Every day in downtown Fort Lauderdale, wherever the crowds are — the drivers, employees, residents or tourists — someone is there with a hand out, begging for money. Aggressive panhandlers stand in the roadways, approach drivers' windows, walk up to diners at outdoor restaurant tables and hit up patrons in parks. They want money, and some of them don't take rejection well. Downtown business owners want the in-your-face panhandling stopped. Members of Fort Lauderdale's Downtown Development Authority say they'll push City Hall to rid downtown of the scourge.

Every day in downtown Fort Lauderdale, wherever the crowds are — the drivers, employees, residents or tourists — someone is there with a hand out, begging for money. Aggressive panhandlers stand in the roadways, approach drivers' windows, walk up to diners at outdoor restaurant tables and hit up patrons in parks. They want money, and some of them don't take rejection well. Downtown business owners want the in-your-face panhandling stopped. Members of Fort Lauderdale's Downtown Development Authority say they'll push City Hall to rid downtown of the scourge.

You can beg here as long as you don't do it aggressively. City commissioners on Tuesday outlawed "aggressive panhandling," which essentially means that people who beg must take no for an answer and stay out of your way. The law defines aggressive panhandling as begging with "intimidation." Panhandlers are being intimidating when they touch or grab the people they beg from, who follow them or persist in begging after the person has said no, who curse or say abusive things or use violent gestures, according to the ordinance passed 4-0 on Tuesday by Pompano Beach commissioners.